HOLY Trinity Church in Skipton is embarking on an ambitious project which will not only see its ageing heating system replaced, but will also see it take a big step towards the Church of England's goal of being carbon neutral by 2030.

The ancient parish church at the top of Skipton High Street has been without a functioning heating system since the gas fired one - its single largest cause of emissions - stopped working more than a year ago.

Investigations revealed old, corroded pipes under the floor - repair would have meant digging up much of the church floor to get to the pipework that was still in working order.

With repairing the old system both impractical and undesirable - it would not fit in with the church's future heating and energy goals, the PCC has grasped the opportunity to forge ahead with its transition from gas to electricity, to off-set some grid-bought electricity with onsite generation and where possible, reduce its heating demands.

This will be achieved with the siting of air source heat pumps on the roof of the 1970s extension of the church cafe, and ground-base solar panels in the north churchyard.

There will also be a new glass door creating an 'airlock' at the main entrance - but traditionalists need not fear, the iron gates will remain in place.

Holy Trinity Church is a beautiful building, a veritable jewel in Skipton's crown. There will be those who find the proposed changes too much and an affront to the building, some of which goes back to the 14th century, but the PCC should be applauded and encouraged it its attempts to make the church a warm, welcoming and eco-friendly place for all.